10 High-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs With Annual Salaries of $95,000 or More
- - 10 High-Paying Blue-Collar Jobs With Annual Salaries of $95,000 or More
Mabh SavageDecember 23, 2025 at 12:01 AM
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Making a lucrative career shift doesn't necessarily mean committing to long office hours and business casual attire. Some blue-collar jobs, those involving manual labor or technical work outside of an office environment, pay more than you might think. If you enjoy getting hands-on and learning on the job, there are plenty of practical or active opportunities out there that can help you stop living paycheck to paycheck.
We've used salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and recruitment experts to create this list of 10 blue-collar jobs that pay at least $95,000 a year.
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1. Truck driver
Average salary: $95,772
Ferrying goods from one place to the other often involves long hours. But if you love driving, trucking could be the career for you. Although there are over 3 million truck drivers on the roads in America, there's still heavy demand for committed, enthusiastic drivers.
You'll need to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL) or equivalent, but once you do, many opportunities will open up for you.
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2. Substation electrician
Median salary: $97,000
Being an electrician at a substation involves monitoring, repairing, and reporting on a range of sensitive electrical equipment. You'll also be responsible for general maintenance.
Experience as an electrician will help, as will professional qualifications. However, these roles are in demand, and some employers are offering apprenticeships to upskill enthusiastic individuals to the necessary level.
3. Senior industrial electrician
Median salary: $99,000
Proficiency with electrical components, wiring, and appliances can net you an impressive wage. If you shift your focus to industrial settings and work hard to gain the necessary experience, you could find yourself in a better-paid, senior role.
Industrial electricians generally have high school diplomas, but some may have attended electrical technician classes or completed apprenticeships.
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4. Power plant operators
Median salary: $103,600
Working in energy can earn you serious money. Power plant operators hold critical roles. It's their job to ensure power is distributed equally and flows properly from the plant to homes and businesses. These roles can be high-pressure, but they offer competitive pay and rewarding work.
5. Escalator installer
Median salary: $106,580
Keep things moving up (or down) by switching to a career as an escalator installer or maintenance technician. The BLS notes that this field is expanding at a rate faster than average (6%), so more opportunities are emerging.
There's usually on-the-job training, and you don't need a degree beyond your high school diploma.
6. Construction manager
Median salary: $106,980
Gaining experience in construction gives you more than just transferable, practical skills. With hard work and a demonstrated ability to lead, you can become a successful construction manager.
Unlike with some management roles, you'll be out on site, getting hands-on with your team. It's a rapidly expanding industry, and the highest 10% earn $176,990 or higher.
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7. Industrial production manager
Median salary: $121,440
An industrial production manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of manufacturing and related industrial plants. Your role will be to oversee production, ensure efficient operation, and identify and handle challenges.
The BLS predicts there will be 17,100 new openings for manufacturing and industrial production managers each year over the next decade.
8. Elevator technician
Median salary: $106,580
Have you ever had the nerve-wracking experience of being stuck in an elevator? If so, you know how valued elevator technicians and repairers are. This role is highly paid because it involves long hours and potentially hazardous environments. Plus, you'll be expected to attend emergencies at short notice.
However, with on-the-job training and high pay, it could be a lucrative opportunity.
9. Air traffic controller
Median salary: $144,580
Ensuring airplanes and other aircraft are in the right place at the right time is essential for safety. That's why this particular blue-collar role is so well compensated. Air traffic controllers typically hold an associate's degree, but also receive on-the-job training.
The BLS estimates that around 2,200 new roles open each year, making this a potentially lucrative career change.
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10. Commercial pilot
Median salary: $198,100
Learning to fly could be one of the best investments you make. You don't need a bachelor's degree, but you will be expected to go through rigorous training with qualified instructors. If you've already had private flight lessons, this will be an easier process for you.
Once qualified, you may have unpredictable schedules and layovers, but a very healthy salary.
Bottom line
You don't need a traditional office job or a college degree to earn a substantial income. As this list of blue-collar careers shows, these job opportunities get you out of the office and put your practical skills to good use.
Whether you're looking to make a career change or just starting out, pursuing one of these high-paying trades could help you build long-term stability, enjoy meaningful work, and lower your financial stress.
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